03/29/2005

Syrah et Chaussures

In January I headed to the northern Rhone to drink some syrah, visit Herv Souhaut (see wine recommendations) and do a shoe shopping story for the NYT's travel section. A tiny piece, but one can safely say that because of the 300 word assignment, I was able to sate the obessions of syrah and shoes in one short stop. Here, on the job with me was my fearless travel buddy Melissa Clark (center right), doing her part to parallel shoe shop. Not to be left out were our local friends, shoe shopping diva-- Erin Cannon Chave (far right) and Beatrice Pimpinella (far left).

See these white and red saddles? I love them! But unfortunately the shoe museum in Romans---really worth the detour---wouldn't sell them to me.

I'm hunting the Leon Trotskys, the Philip Roths, the Chaucers and the Edith Whartons of the wine world. I want them natural and most of all, I want them to speak the truth even if we argue. With this messiah thing going on, I'm trying to swell the ranks of those who crave the differences in each vintage, celebrate nuance and desire wines that make them think, laugh, and feel. Welcome.

And, if you'd like a signed copy of either THE BATTLE FOR WINE AND LOVE OR HOW I SAVED THE WORLD FROM PARKERIZATION or NAKED WINE, feel free to contact me directly.